FM News 101.9 is about to become toast

[RBRadioWaves]

http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/netgnomes/58929/i101-driving-through-chicago/

I think that this is just them admitting that their attempt to do FM news is done. Maybe they'll call their new station "News/Talk I101: The best of news, with more stimulating talk for Chicagoland!"

If THIS Fails, we may as well expect a MAJOR change in format.

[RBRadioWaves]

Sorry. I meant FM News 101.1.

[DToTheJ]

I don't blame you - I wouldn't be surprised if FM News 101.9 in New York went the same direction!

[secondchoice]

If all news goes away, could CBS have "wasted" a FM signal to put WBBM on FM?  WBBM AM was doing fine billing and rating wise before the FM was added. I know the FM that was used for WBBM was not dong that well in the ratings but it was a viable FM signal.

[BarryATL]

If all news goes away, could CBS have "wasted" a FM signal to put WBBM on FM?  WBBM AM was doing fine billing and rating wise before the FM was added. I know the FM that was used for WBBM was not dong that well in the ratings but it was a viable FM signal.

WBBM would have had to eventually put the news on an FM stick.  I think their hand was forced and they flipped the switch about two years early.

The big question will be how long before the NYC signals will finally give up the AM ghost and move to FM.  Two years, three years?  It will happen eventually. 

[secondchoice]

AM still viable in NYC and Chicago.  Factors that help AM in NYC and Chicago: 

The FM's are class "B" (similar to 100.5 in Atlanta) and have do not have the signal strength in the distant suburbs.

Opposite of Atlanta, the soil conductivity is much better helping all the local AM station's coverage in both markets.

Both markets have multiple AM stations that cover the entire market 24 hours a day (Atlanta only has 750).

There is real competitiveness programming wise on AM in both markets. 

I know FM has a better sound with less static but, the Ancient Modulation stations are not going away as fast as a lot of people think in markets #1 & 3.  Disney / ESPN did not get the big rating jump with the FM verses WFAN AM.  Merlin with FM signals has not made a dent against WINS / WCBS or WBBM. 

[radioguy39nj]

I know FM has a better sound with less static but, the Ancient Modulation stations are not going away as fast as a lot of people think in markets #1 & 3.  Disney / ESPN did not get the big rating jump with the FM verses WFAN AM.  Merlin with FM signals has not made a dent against WINS / WCBS or WBBM. 

WEPN-FM got a short term bump with Knicks and Rangers playoff games.  They might get a bump when the Jets' season starts.  CBS' contracts with both NY baseball teams are up at the end of the current season and WEPN-FM is expected to make a run at the Yankees.  Sooner or later, CBS will have to move WFAN to FM.

Merlin hasn't made a dent against established CBS news stations in NY and Chicago because they aren't offering anything of substance.  WINS, WCBS and WBBM have been all-news for more than four decades.  Whether it's AM or FM, it's all in the programming.

[Nick]

It doesn't matter what modulation form is used, no one will listen to junk

[RBRadioWaves]

Staff meeting at Merlin today. I repeat, staff meeting at Merlin today. This is apparently not a drill. 

[1250WTAE]

Just announced:  Randy Michaels pulls the plug on all-news format after year of humiliating failure. Who didn't see that coming?